HBA-EDN H.B. 3002 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3002
By: Kitchen
Environmental Regulation
3/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Unregulated disposal of coal combustion waste that contains toxins from the
combustion of coal and the residues that result from pollution can harm
public health and groundwater.  Coal combustion waste that is not disposed
of in a lined facility can put the groundwater below the site at risk.
Heavy metals, such as selenium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium have been
found to contaminate bodies of water around Texas's power plants.  The
concentrations of chemicals can be so high that the water is unsafe for
consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency recently found that when
these wastes are minefilled, they have the potential to present a danger to
human health and the environment.  In Texas, current coal combustion waste
disposal regulations are not as strict as regulations for hazardous waste
disposal, and there is concern that these regulations may not be adequate
to curb potential threats to public health and to the environment. House
Bill 3002 makes coal combustion waste subject to laws regarding the
disposal of hazardous waste. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3002 amends the Health and Safety Code to provide that coal
combustion waste is included in the definition of "hazardous waste." 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.